Feeding my girls can’t find a good feeder

[cmcconnell]

Looking to find a feeder that works, trued a bunch and some are great but mice get in what is the answer??

 

[Acre4Me]

1. Don’t leave it out at night.
2. Raise it to the height of the chickens back-they are less likely to sweep out feed.
3. Feed wet feed (add water to pellets or crumble) and feed 2x per day.

4. Hang the feeder or place it on a smaller platform above the ground that mice can’t get into.

 

[TwoCrows]

X2 on the above post, don't leave food or water out at night if you have a mouse issue.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This one does not seem to attract mice because the chickens can't scatter feed. I can't guarantee a mouse doesn't get in there though, but I see no evidence of mice. Those are 3" PVC street elbows, and the inside opening of each is set about two inches above the bottom of the bucket. I think I used Gorilla Glue to set them in or maybe clear silicone caulk, I don't remember. I used empty plastic water bottles inside to brace them overnight till they set because I didn't cut the holes accurately. It does have a lid and I keep a plastic traffic cone on top (Home Depot, $8) to keep the hens from roosting/pooping on it. Really works great to keep my dog from eating the food and driving up my feed bill! Also, it works for pellets or crumbles. Just fill up the spouts good on initial use to teach the hens to use it.

 

[IamRainey]

I use one of these. Nothing revolutionary about it but it does the job just fine.

It's inside my enclosed run 24/7. My run is as thoroughly rodent and predator proofed as I could manage. There are wide overhangs to protect from weather. My flock stays inside the run and doesn't free range.

There's no tragedy if any of the feed spills. ...tho if any spills it's generally because my aim was lousy when I was filling it.

I had 2 of these in there as well at one point.

The hens rarely bothered with them so I stopped filling them and now only use them as backup if I'm going to be away for a while.

 

[Acre4Me]

I use one of these. Nothing revolutionary about it but it does the job just fine.

It's inside my enclosed run 24/7. My run is as thoroughly rodent and predator proofed as I could manage. There are wide overhangs to protect from weather. My flock stays inside the run and doesn't free range.

There's no tragedy if any of the feed spills. ...tho if any spills it's generally because my aim was lousy when I was filling it.

View attachment 1994796

I had 2 of these in there as well at one point.

View attachment 1994804 The hens rarely bothered with them so I stopped filling them and now only use them as backup if I'm going to be away for a while.

I also use the Harris alarms feeder. Inexpensive, easy to clean, does a good job of preventing them from sweeping out the feed.

 

[TwoCrows]

I keep it simple. I use heavy dog food bowls set inside those Little Giant black tubs. (The smallest size.) These are tall enough that they can't scoop out the feed and the tubs rarely tip over, although sometimes they do. Little to no waste at all. All food and water get stored away each evening, brought out in the morning.

 

[aart]

This has worked great for pretty much eliminating billing out waste of the crumble I like to feed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-waste-free-funnel-bucket-feeder.67218/

Mice still can happen and always have snap traps set.

 

[sandman55]

I use a treadle feeder, it is rodent and sparrow proof

 

[archeryrob]

Mice, get a cat, lots of mice geta female cat! We live in the country and a cat is priceless for controlling mice. Ours are indoor outdoor and the neighbors even appreciate our female cat. She kills every mouse she can find in 200 yards of the house.